Origins

Born in England, Robbie Cornthwaite moved to Australia as a young boy, living in caravans while his family found their feet.

"It means nothing. They gave me a shiny belt and now everyone wants to take my head off."

Brother and sister BMX riders Kai and Saya Sakakibara grew up in Tokyo after their parents were forced to leave Australia. Since returning, they’ve immersed themselves in local culture. Competing at the Tokyo Olympics would unite their heritage.

After getting in trouble as a young boy, Archie Thompson told his mum it would never happen again. In a remarkable twist, the career he then forged led to her reuniting with her family after 30 years.

Back home in rural Cumbria, Helen Housby and her family were massive supporters of the nearby football club. The final second the '97-98 season is etched in local folklore. Don’t get her started.

His dad left Africa to explore the world, and Bruce Djite has loved seeing that sense of adventure in his own kids.

'We'd go without power and water at some stages. That's how bad it got sometimes, even with kids in the house.'

You probably haven't heard of Bilal Akkawy's hero. He was born in the rough part of Tripoli, his father died when he was two and his stepdad disowned him. Then he moved to Australia ...